Mom Dies After Running With Baby to Escape Gunfire in Chilling Florida Case, Father released
A mother, her two young children, and her own mother were killed in a shooting spanning two locations in Florida.
A 28-year-old mother and her two young children were chased down a street and killed in a shooting that shocked a Florida city on May 3.
According to the Plant City Police Department, the violence occurred at two separate locations. Officers first responded to reports of a disturbance in the 300 block of West Tever Street, where four individuals were found.
A 4-month-old infant and a 4-year-old child had sustained gunshot wounds and were pronounced dead at the scene. Their mother, Hailey Dempsey, was still alive when officers arrived. She was transported to a local hospital, where she later died from her injuries. Another child at the scene was unharmed.
Police say Hailey fled the home with her two young children after her mother Valerie was shot inside the residence.
“During the investigation, officers were led to a second location in the 900 block of North Burton Street, where the 55-year-old mother of the 28-year-old was found deceased from a gunshot wound,” Chief Richard Mills Jr. said in an official statement on Facebook.
The victim at the second location was later identified as Valerie Deboe, Dempsey’s mother.
Investigators said that Dempsey reportedly ran nearly half a mile carrying her newborn baby while trying to save her children. The family was later found in bushes nearby.
Husband Detained, Then Released
Hailey Dempsey’s husband, Jay Dempsey, 27, was detained nearby, with neighbors witnessing the arrest. However, he was later released due to a lack of evidence, according to the Daily Mail, and no suspect is currently in custody.
A neighbor of Deboe, John Czarniak, told authorities the couple had argued on May 1. Police were called to the residence but left soon after.
He also claimed he saw Jay Dempsey putting on a bulletproof vest and loading a large duffel bag into his car on May 2.
”He came walking out of the woods at 3 a.m. (on May 3), got in his dead wife’s car, and drove off,” Czarniak said.
Investigators also noted that Jay Dempsey is an avid shooter who previously shared multiple photos from his shooting outings on social media platforms.
After being released from custody, Jay allegedly left town and deleted all his social media accounts.
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The children’s own father, 27-year-old Jay Dempsey, is the main suspect. He was briefly detained then released before fleeing town.
Police Seek the Public’s Help
The Plant City Police Department continues to investigate the killings and is urging the public to come forward with information.
“Some of the people traveled on foot between North Burton Street and the West Tever Street locations during the early morning hours,” said Mills Jr.
Authorities are asking residents and businesses in the area to:
Review surveillance or doorbell camera footage recorded between 5:30 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. on May 3, 2026.
Check for video showing a woman walking with three young children near North Burton Street, West Tever Street, or the surrounding areas.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the police at 813-763-3316. “Information can be provided anonymously,” Mills Jr. said.
“I cannot imagine the devastation. I hope that child has supportive and loving family that will care for him,” said Camryn Henry of Plant City Commission Group.
The investigation remains active and ongoing, authorities said.
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